Michael Jackson Tribute Event

To celebrate
the release of XSCAPE on May 13,
an album of brand new, never before heard music
by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop,
MICHAEL JACKSON - Sony Music have teamed up
with partners Sony Mobile and Vodafone to host an incredible
tribute event this Friday (9th May) in advance of the album
release, dedicated to celebrating the life, music and
artistry of an icon.

The event will feature one of
New Zealand’s best contemporary artists OWEN
DIPPIE spray painting a giant-sized portrait of
Michael Jackson throughout the day, once completed the art
work will then be gifted to New Zealand
charityCANTEEN, as a sign of respect to the
late artist who was well known for advancing the needs and
lives of children worldwide. The event will be open to the
public from 12-6pm this Friday at Vodafone Headquarters,
Viaduct Ave, Auckland Central.

A selection of tracks
from the new album which fans will be hearing for the very
first time will be played at the event, through the brand
new, unreleased SONY XPERIA Z2 handset that
when purchased, comes with the full album plus a bonus track
– not available anywhere else, sold exclusively through
Vodafone on May 19th. DJ REMINISE will also
be onsite mixing classic Michael Jackson audio and video
hits throughout the afternoon.

Sony Mobile will also
have this brand new handset on display for customers to
experience ahead of release which presales from the 12th
May. Three of these handsets will be given away to lucky
fans at the event.

Not only will attendees at the
event be able to have a play with the impressive new Sony
Xperia Z2 handset, watch a live artist and listen to new
Michael Jackson music - during the afternoon over $7500
worth of prizes will also be given away including copies of
the new album.

MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE
EVENT OPENS TO THE PUBLIC FRIDAY MAY 9th AT
12PM VIADUCT AVE VODAFONE HEAD QUARTERS
AUCKLAND

NEW ALBUM OF PREVIOUSLY
UNRELEASED MUSIC FROM MICHAEL JACKSON XSCAPE
AVAILABLE MAY 13

##

MORE
ABOUTXSCAPE:

On
Tuesday 13th May, Sony Music in conjunction with the Estate
of Michael Jackson will release XSCAPE,
an album of brand new, never before heard music
by the internationally beloved music icon and King of Pop.
The project features eight new tracks, which the world will
be hearing for the very first time on the new album.

XSCAPE is executive produced by
Epic Records Chairman and CEO L.A. Reid,
who, after an initial mining of Jackson’s archives by the
Estate, was granted unlimited access to the treasures
representing four decades of material on which Jackson had
completed his vocals.

Reid curated the final list of
recordings to deliver to the producers, who retooled the
production to add a fresh, contemporary sound that retains
Jackson’s essence and integrity. It’s a process Reid
calls “contemporising.” The album’s lead producer,
Timbaland was one of a handful of producers
Reid believed had the gravitas, depth and range to
creatively engage with Jackson’s work. Additional
producers include global hitmakers Rodney
Jerkins, Stargate, Jerome
“Jroc” Harmon and John
McClain.

“Modern music and artistry would
look and sound completely different if not for the
groundbreaking contributions Michael Jackson gifted to the
world,” remarked L.A. Reid. “Michael left behind some
musical performances that we take great pride in presenting
through the vision of music producers that he either worked
directly with or expressed strong desire to work with. We
are extremely proud and honoured to present this music to
the world.”

MORE ABOUT SONY XPERIA
Z2:

Sony Mobile Communications introduces
Xperia™ Z2, Sony’s best ever premium waterproof
smartphone combining its best display, sound, camera and
camcorder experience as well as an exclusive entertainment
offer and a growing ecosystem of companion products. Xperia
Z2 is the newest addition to Sony’s premium Z series and
will launch exclusively through Vodafone.

Customers
who purchase the Xperia Z2 will also receive a digital copy
of XSCAPE, an album of new tracks
from the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Xperia Z2 owners will
be able to get the album with their Xperia Z2 through the
Xperia Lounge app.

Tame Impala’s new album Currents has one of the hallmarks of an enduring album. At first listen it seems like good, if somewhat ordinary, pop but as you go back more and more layers unravel revealing deeply rich, expertly crafted songs. More>>

The winner of the Morgan Foundation’s $20,000 flag competition is “Wā kāinga / Home”, designed by Auckland based Studio Alexander. Economist and philanthropist Gareth Morgan set up the competition because he had strong views on what the flag should represent but he couldn’t draw one himself. More>>

They could have been any family of six children – except that five of them were born at once. It will come as a shock to many older New Zealanders to realise that Saturday July 25 is the Lawson quintuplets’ 50th birthday. More>>

Coinciding as it does with the movie Imitation Game which focusses on Alan Turing breaking the Enigma code in Hut 6 at Bletchley Park (“BP”), this book is likely to attract a wide readership. It deserves to do so, as it illustrates that BP was very much more than Turing and his colleagues. More>>

The theme for Māori Language Week 27 July – 2 August 2015 is ‘Whāngaihia te Reo ki ngā Mātua’ ‘Nurture the language in parents’. It aims to encourage and support every day Māori language use for parents and caregivers with children” says Acting Chief Executive Tuehu Harris.. More>>

The hyped sell-out crowd had already packed themselves as close as they could get to the stage before Earl came on. The smell of weed, sweat and beer filled Bodega – more debauched sauna than bar by this point. When he arrived on stage the screaming ... More>>